ESP LTD James Hetfield Snakebyte, Satin Black
The ESP LTD James Hetfield Snakebyte in Satin Black is a bold, aggressive signature guitar built for crushing riffs and unmistakable metal performance. Designed alongside Metallica frontman James Hetfield, the Snakebyte combines unique styling with powerful tone and professional-grade hardware to deliver the commanding sound and feel that modern metal players demand.
Featuring a mahogany body, set-neck construction, and a fast Thin U neck profile, the Snakebyte offers exceptional sustain, smooth playability, and effortless rhythm performance. The EMG JH “Het Set” active pickups deliver tight low-end punch, articulate mids, and the aggressive clarity needed for heavy riffing and high-gain precision.
Metallica Monster
James Hetfield is the co-founder of legendary metal group Metallica. Active for over thirty years and with more than 125 million albums sold worldwide they are something of a gold standard for hard rock. Known more for his intricate rhythm playing than lead solos, Hetfield's Snakebyte is just as capable setting the high frets on fire as providing galloping rhythm tempos.
Hetfield humbuckers
Created specifically for James the EMG Active JH Set are key to generating his unique sound. The JH-N in the neck position hums with fierce attack, high output, and a rich low end to bring serious presence. EMG carefully constructed this pickup by installing individual ceramic poles and bobbins that have a larger core.
Cut through. The bridge pickup is where the biting tones of rock are found and with ESP Snakebyte it's no different. The JH-B delights with its tight, crisper attack and ringing clear tones. As active pickups you can be sure that you'll have a fully loaded output matched with clarity and definition at high gain levels. Crank up the distortion and let it rip, these humbuckers were made for rocking.
Custom shop care
Only the best. Hardware befitting the calibre of Hetfield has been carefully selected for the ESP Snakebyte. A bone nut provides a stable anchor for your strings, Sperzel locking tuners ensure rock solid tuning stability while the Locking Tune-O-Matic bridge imbues great sustain to your strings and retains tension with the strings removed. Premium Schaller straplocks and a hardshell case complete the finishing touches on this one-of-a-kind instrument.
Specifications
Body
- Body: Mahogany
- Finish: Satin Black
Neck & Fretboard
- Neck: Mahogany
- Scale: 24.75''
- Fingerboard: Macassar Ebony
- Fingerboard Radius: 350mm
- Nut Width: 42mm
- Construction: Set-Neck
- Nut Type: Molded
- Neck Contour: Thin U
- Frets/Type: 22 XJ
Hardware & Electronics
- Hardware Colour: Black
- Strap Button: Standard
- Tuners: LTD Locking
- Bridge: TonePros Locking TOM
- Neck PU: EMG JH Set
- Bridge PU: EMG JH Set
- Electronics: Active
- Electronics Layout: Volume/Volume/Toggle Switch
- Strings: DAddario XL110
- Case: Included
PRODUCT REPORT
- Case: Hardcase Included